Whats going on?

[AshleyG]

I just want to know what everyone is up too. Tell me now!


edit: Yes, I know I left the " ' " out of "what's".....

This post has been edited by AshleyC on Sep 13 2005, 07:59 PM

[BoBayles]

I'm running in a marathon tomorrow! I'll post how it went if I regain consciousness.

[BoBayles]

I did wake up this morning (after being unable to muster the strenth to kick off my bed sheets for about a half hour), so...

The marathon was great, and I got a ridiculously cool amount of support from my friends and family, as they are awesome.

I was more dreading the getting up at 4:30 than the actual running of the marathon, but it really wasn't too bad. I got up early the day before (and Courtney from MSA made me breakfast at her house) so I would sleep the night before the race. I was awake enough to ride in the car with my family to the race site, the Family Arena in St. Charles.

After waiting around for a while, the runners (3500 of them) took places at the starting line, and we waited some more. My friends from here at UMR, Tom, Chas, Pat, and Hannah (from MSA, of course), arrived through the traffic and wished me luck.

The race started slowly, as there were 3500 people trying to go through a narrow chute (activiating this RFID-like chip that started your official timer), but it thinned out more and more over the next lot of miles.

This was the "Lewis and Clark" marathon, and was therefore "Lewis and Clark Exploration" themed. So, there were people dressed as Indians handing out water and this "energy gel" stuff called "GU." These people were extremely friendly and helpful. They would shout "Water! Here, have some water! You're looking great! Good job! You're a nice person!" and other encouraging things.

I ran the first half with no problems... the course contained part of the Katy Trail and its associated state park, and I saw my family there. Then, back at the start, I saw my friends who were working on homework.

The second half seemed pretty long. I got some water from some of the Indians and tried some of the gel stuff, but it was pretty awful. One of the very young race helpers (not in Indian garb) was very insistent that I take water from her. Rather than attempt to drink and run, I stopped to walk for a moment. I felt I should probably not litter in front of the Indians, what with the forcing them onto reservations and all, so I set the cup down at the girl's feet, and that made her pretty happy.

It rained at one point, but it wasn't too bad. The course was very scenic, what with Old St. Charles being part of the route, and a couple parks. I saw a woman in a rickshaw, which you don't see every day.

I smacked into "the wall" at mile 24, and had to walk for a minute and get some water from the Indians. I felt better pretty quickly, and then realized I was almost finished, and my last mile was probably my fastest. The announcer was very dramatic and enthusiastic about everything, and he talked about my name/ age/ location, and said more complimentary things like the Indians had been saying.
My time was 3:22:59, which was way better than I expected. I ended up 30th overall, and first in my age group (though that was only like 4 people). I stumbled around and drank some of the water people were throwing at me, and talked to my uncle on the phone (I don't remember that part). Then I changed clothes and drank more water. And drank some more water.

I went home with my family from there, after stopping to get some coffee. I was sorry I missed my friends (Ryan D. from MSA had also shown up, but I never saw him), who were waiting at the 23 mile mark, but I was pretty out of it. After a bath, more water, some soup, and more coffee, I was doing OK, and came back to UMR.

My door had been decorated with streamers and balloons, and had a sign that said "Way to go, Bo!" (courtesy Jamie from here) which was way cool. Some guy on the floor saw the balloons and wrote "Happy birthday, Bo!" on the chalkboard in the hallway, which was funny.

The combination of caffeine and dehydration apparently made me really loopy for a while. I highly recommend that.

All in all, marathons are way cool. You get to run for a long time, see all kinds of friendly Indians, and get all kinds of encouragement from awesome people like Chas, Courtney, Jamie, Pat, Ryan, Tom, and Hannah.

[AshleyG]

Good job!

[jb1985]

I know most of you don't know me. However, I wanted to thank everyone who has seen my posts and sent me encouraging emails.

I am still in Iraq at the infamous Abu Ghraib prison. Parole is coming soon and I should be home by Christmas! Construction work has slowed (I'm an engineer/carpenter) so I am beginning to run missions - prisoner transfers, convoys, etc.

Once again, thanks to everyone who has posted encouragements or sent emails. It is all appreciated.

SSG Jeff Barker

[AshleyG]

I think we should all go to a taping of the Price is Right over Spring Break.....

[maroongrad]

Here's hoping you're out of Abu Ghraib and home for Xmas very soon if not sooner. Best wishes for your safety and happiness while you are there!
Boomba from Missouri,
Amy (Spaz '91)

[jb1985]

Well, I'm back in the good old USA. I'm at Ft. Dix, NJ doing my out-processing and will be home to Missouri next week.

Thanks again to all who sent me emails and posts. Please don't forget the rest of the troops still in Iraq and Afganhistan.

Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

SSG Jeff Barker

[BoBayles]

Hey, welcome back. Thanks for everything.

[AshleyG]

Happy Holidays! I'm glad you made it back okay. Thanks!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have an internship with DisneyWorld starting in 1 week! Hello Florida and goodbye snow.

[BoBayles]

I just started my electrical engineering internship ("co-op") with Barry-Wehmiller Design Group in St. Louis this week; I'm away from UMR for the semester + summer (like Ashley, I presume). I moved into my own apartment last week. Living in the city is very much differen from living in the sticks or Rolla, and I'm having fun so far.

[AshleyG]

Yep same as me!